Barchetta 1951

Testadoro Barchetta 1951

the 1100 car never born

History and Context

The chronicles of the time report the news of a car under construction for the Sport 1100 class. This news is reflected in the words of Giusti himself released on the occasion of an interview granted in the 90s regarding his activity in the world of ran after World War II. In fact, it must be remembered that the famous cylinder head designed by Eng Roselli was initially designed for the 995cc Fiat 508 "Balilla" block, which in the following Fiat "1100" had in the meantime been brought to 1098cc by the Turin manufacturer. The engine of the Fiat 1100 was widely used by almost all racing car manufacturers for the "Sport up to 1100cc" class, and therefore it was inevitable that after a few seasons spent developing (and advertising) cars for the 750 class, the attention of the Giusti / Roselli couple and their "car CAsa" moved to the next higher class, the one up to 1100cc.

The complete car project includes an extremely low, streamlined and aerodynamic bodywork, combined with a chassis created to represent the maximum evolution of Sports cars on the threshold of the 1950s.

The frame is composed of a base with longerons made of sturdy chromium-molybdenum steel tubes, and an upper portion made of smaller section tubes to ensure unparalleled longitudinal and transverse rigidity. The wheelbase is generous (2400mm, equal to that of more modern sports cars, we mention above all the Ferrari 250 GTO), and guarantees the car the appearance of a much higher class boat. Although it reached the final level of definition (numerous cartouches testifying it), the project ran aground due to Giusti's withdrawal from racing and from the car world in general, due to the tragic death of Roselli in a road accident and the growing concern of the beloved Andreina about the risks related to racing. The 1100 engine was then used in the famous Revelli-Monaco Testadoro 1100, designed by the master of all the great Italian car designers, Count Mario Revelli di Beaumont, who joins Zagato and Bertone in the list of great coachbuilders and designers who have linked their name to the Testadoro brand. On this car Gino Valenzano, among other things, finished tenth overall in the 1947 Dolomiti Cup.

Style

The style of this car is based on the search for maximum aerodynamic penetration; the wheels are faired by mudguards perfectly connected to the car body, while the front and tail sections represent the typical entry and exit connections of a wing profile. The car has a small fairing placed in front of the driver, and the now classic "hump" behind him.